Laurentiu Bălașa and Marius Iordache, Bible Chat, are the Entrepreneurs of the year 2025 in Romania
Laurențiu Bălașa, CEO of Bible Chat, and Marius Iordache, CTO of Bible Chat, were named the winners of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Romania 2025 competition. The entrepreneurs competed for the great title alongside 16 other business leaders and will represent Romania in the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ world finals, from May 2026.
Bible Chat is an innovative religious technology company dedicated to using artificial intelligence to bring people closer to God and help them grow spiritually, emotionally and mentally.
Bible Chat has created the world's first AI companion specializing in Scripture, helping users interact with divine messages through daily conversation, prayer, and reflection. The app has reached millions of people around the world, offering personalized devotions, Bible studies and spiritual guidance, making faith accessible and deeply personal.
During the gala of the anniversary edition of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Romania™, Sorina Vlăsceanu and Mihai Vinaga, Veridionthey received the title EY Emerging Entrepreneurs Of The Year Romania 2025and the award of excellence awarded to a successful family business, Award EY Family Business Romania 2025, it fell to Mihai Emilian Sofian, who leads RematHolding.
Veridion provides AI-powered business data that companies use to better understand the market, for procurement and for insurance risk assessment. The company collects and enhances information about more than 140 million businesses, using advanced machine learning technologies to analyze and organize data about these businesses, including names, locations and business types.
In an economy where sustainability is becoming essential, RematHolding offers integrated recycling and waste management solutions, turning used materials into reusable resources. Through extensive infrastructure, efficient processes and long-term partnerships, it contributes decisively to the national circular economy.
Bogdan IonCountry Managing Partner, EY Romania and Moldova: “For over 12 years in Romania, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program has contributed to the development of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, bringing to the fore leaders who create high-performing companies, shape industries, generate jobs and inspire new generations. The community formed around this initiative has become one of the most solid communities of entrepreneurs in Romania, with today more than 300 members, who collaborate and innovate.”
To select the winners, the jury examined each application based on four criteria: entrepreneurial spirit, purpose and strategic direction, impact on the community and capacity for growth.
The independent jury was made up of top executives: Fady Chreih (CEO Regina Maria), Omer Tetik (CEO Banca Transilvania), Vargha Moayed (Chairman of the Board Endeavor), Marius Ștefan (CEO Autonom) and Irina Arsene (CEO mindit.io and winner of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Romania).
This edition brought 18 entrepreneurs to the competition, who in 2024 generated business of over 243 million Euros and have a total of almost 1700 employees.
The four finalists in the category EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Romania 2025 were:
- Laurentiu Bălașa and Marius Iordache, Bible Chat – winners of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Romania 2025 title
- Peter de Boer, DN Agrarian
- Daciana and Florica Siderache, Calipso
- Alexandru Chiric, Transilvania Nuts
The three awards in the category EY Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Romania 2025 were awarded to entrepreneurs:
- Sorina Vlăsceanu and Mihai Vinaga, Veridion – winners of the EY Emerging Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Romania 2025 title
- Cornel Amariei, .lumen
- Cosmin Cosma, Finqware
This year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year™ program in Romania celebrates 12 years of recognizing successful entrepreneurs in the country. Over these years, 334 entrepreneurs have participated in the competition, generating together revenues of more than 6.43 billion euros and creating almost 67,000 jobs.
Since 2014, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition, the only entrepreneurial competition that is organized globally, also takes place in Romania. EY Entrepreneur of The Year™ has been organized in 79 countries and territories for almost 40 years and rewards entrepreneurs for the vision and strategic direction with which they grow their businesses, for the power to innovate, personal integrity and, last but not least, for the positive impact on the community.
Article supported by EY Romania
